Sheffield and outlying areas

Falafels

Sheffield's relatively expensive, but if you go east of the M1, properties in South Yorkshire are really cheap - especially compared to down south. Have a look on Rightmove to see what's available. Also do a check on crime statistics etc - some areas are really ropey.

RelievedSheff

We moved out of Sheffield a couple of years ago to Worksop, we had lived in S6. We still both work in Sheffield and the commute is a nice easy one with excellent transport links. We moved out here purely because you get a lot more house for your money.

Your £140k budget will get you a nice 3 bed semi with big garden, driveway and garage out here in a nice area. Whereas in Sheffield you will be looking at best at a 2 bed mid terrace with on street parking in a semi decent area or an ex local authority property in a less than desirable area.

GDB2222

Don’t they have allotments around Sheffield? For growing veg, I mean. It might be easier to find an allotment than a house with a decent size garden?

Just my 2p worth.

nimbo

Houses in Sheffield are cheaper then Leeds. By a lot. 

Heeley is nice - but there was not lot of less then 150 when I was looking. (I’ve just made an offer and am still in the process so I wasn’t looking long ago). I didn’t seriously look in Heeley. 

What is the 12 mile golden mark? Travel will be quicker then it is in London. And if you widen your horizon a little house prices will drop dramatically. 

South Yorkshire is cheap ish generally. So Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley will be more affordable then Sheffield. One thing South Yorkshire has is pretty views and green spaces. 

Figure out where his office is and work outwards form there. You can buy a house in Goldthorpe (on the Sheffield train route) for £10 k. I’d hazard a guess you don’t want to live in it. 🤷‍♀️

I’m Barnsley I’ve been told 16 weeks to buy and their searches are supposedly speedy. 

Ex local authority can be challenging to mortgage. 

GDB2222

The trouble with ex local authority is that often it isn’t actually ex. You end up with the LA as freeholder, spending your money on repairs.

RelievedSheff

GDB2222 said:

The trouble with ex local authority is that often it isn’t actually ex. You end up with the LA as freeholder, spending your money on repairs.

Our last house was ex local authority and it was freehold. The issues we had were not with the house or the tenure but with the neighbours and the area in general.

Moving from London to a local authority estate in Sheffield is likely to be a culture shock too far!

Don't get me wrong not everyone on the estate was horrible and we did have some lovely immediate neighbours as well as the idiots next door, but with these estates where the housing is mixed between social rented and owner occupied there are often problems.

That said with the OP's budget they are going to be limited where they can buy. Houses on the estate we were on are now heading towards that £140k budget and higher which we find utter madness!!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110304842#/

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/61585342#/

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110425277#/

RAS

I'd agree that the OP needs to research where they move very carefully. Some parts of that area are challenging and there may still be some that don't appreciate people who aren't local or are different. The same is true of Leeds.

OP, the transaction costs of moving are going to be high compared with the value of your purchase, so I'd suggest that you need to make sure it is somewhere you are happy to live for a decade or more. 

There are several mortgage providers who will allow you to extend the repayments until you are 70, which may give you some wriggle room, as you could overpay after the first year or so. Make sure you have good insurance.

The other thing I'd consider is transport links. Although you both drive, if you could manage with one car it would make life much more affordable. So check the links for OH's work and start looking round the hubs. Preferably walkable to the hub if necessary.

I'd suggest then renting for 6 months in one of your preferred areas and seeing how that feels re facilities, friendships, and job opportunities for yourself. You can use the time to boost your savings and research the other areas. 

poshboy

We live in Rotherham as we couldn't afford what we wanted in Sheffield and don't regret moving here at all. If you look around the Wickersley and Bramley area, it's lovely and just off the M18, so 20 mins drive to the centre of Sheffield.

felinefancy

poshboy said:

We live in Rotherham as we couldn't afford what we wanted in Sheffield and don't regret moving here at all. If you look around the Wickersley and Bramley area, it's lovely and just off the M18, so 20 mins drive to the centre of Sheffield.

Thanks @poshboy - I've got those two on my list already, so good to have the affirmation

felinefancy

Hebblethwaite said:

I don't know about Leeds, I'm afraid. However, if you are both drivers then that will massively expand the area where you can look. Anything with a garden has been flying off RM lately. It was also my biggest priority and I've had to compromise a lot on size with my (hopeful) FTB purchase as I am definitely not going to be able to fit all my garden wishes into the available space! If you want a great garden on a budget, I would definitely recommend looking outside Sheffield itself. That's my plan for getting a bigger garden in a few years (when my circumstances will have changed) and I will use my (hopefully) soon-to-be garden as a temporary measure to get properly to grips with growing in the ground (after being a container gardener for many years).

Yes, I've noticed, especially since the pandemic.  We will prefer to look outside Sheffield but depends on budget of course.  

Container gardening has it's challenges so well done for that.  Not as easy as people think!  Mind you, I've grown in the ground for many years with its own pros and cons.  Hope you achieve your forever garden soon.